Marucci peeks at Walker squad

U.S. Walker Cup captain Buddy Marucci got his first look – as a unit – at the eight team members when the group met for a practice session last week at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa.

The Walker Cup, a biennial event against Great Britain & Ireland, will be Sept. 13-14 at Merion, Marucci’s home club.

“I’m very pleased with the way it all went,” said Marucci, who guided the U.S. to victory in his first stint as captain two years ago in Ireland. “Everyone got along and seemed to reach out to each other. And, they all loved the golf course.”

The group played two rounds of foursomes (alternate shot) and two rounds of singles, with one of the scheduled singles rounds getting rained out.

“There was no particular order as far as who was paired together or who played against each other,” Marucci said. “The main objective for this session was for the guys to relax and get a feel for the golf course. From that standpoint, we feel we accomplished what we wanted to do.”

Merion is a tough course to play from the rough, Marucci said.

“Hopefully they left here realizing that accuracy is more important than distance out here.”

The USGA will announce the final two members of this year’s team after the U.S. Amateur Championship, Aug. 24-30, at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.

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